Though none of them felt deeply connected to their father, and they had all resented him for how cruel he was when he was alive, they started to remember the good things about him after his death. At the very least, Dean was kind and generous with them when they were younger."Sebastian, I heard that Dad had mental issues. I think that's the main reason why he didn't leave any of us anything. We only started working with Natalie because we had no other way. If it wasn't for her, you wouldn't even call us out to talk," Violet said.Her intention was clear: she wanted to show Sebastian all the leverage they had so as to let him know that he would lose if he did not offer them a better deal."I don't know if Dad was mentally ill. He wouldn't have told me even if he was," Sebastian said calmly. "I brought the lawyers here today to run a logical analysis on how much you would get if you won. If you don't trust my lawyers, you can call the ones that you trust here right now."I've called
When the lawsuit officially began, Dean's children's words were the most important aspect of their case, and Natalie had to make sure that she discussed the details with the lawyer.After making her coffee, she went into the kitchen to make her breakfast.She had bought a loaf of bread the night before, so she only needed to fry an egg and some ham.She had moved back to her own apartment two days ago.Technically, she had officially moved back in the night before, as the apartment had stank of mold when she had returned on the first day, so she had had to hire cleaners to clean the place.Her life was slowly getting back on track. She would not be in any danger, so long as she stayed out of Elliot and Avery's way. Once they won the lawsuit, she would get her share and could do whatever she wanted.The thought that she could finally recover from her failure felt surreal.Her mother had been messaging her for the past few days, worried that Natalie would be in danger again. Her m
"It's exactly what you think it is: Sebastian has decided to share his inheritance with us. It's not much, but at least we get something, so there's no need for a lawsuit anymore," Violet said. "You don't have to contact us from now on. It's over."Natalie could not find her words, and, after waiting a few seconds, Violet hung up.The others immediately stared at Violet as soon as she ended the call."Is Natalie furious? Did she curse at you or something?" Christine asked.Violet shook her head. "She didn't say a thing, so I hung up. She's probably not that unreasonable. It's not like we are the ones who didn't give her a share of the inheritance... She has no reason to resent us.""True. Now that we have our shares, I am satisfied.""Me, too," Stacy said. "Dad wouldn't have given me this much, even if he was in the right mind.""If everyone is okay with their share, we will put this behind us after this meal. We can all still gather during special occasions from now on," Violet
She had been about to go to sleep, but was now completely awake after the phone call."This guy knows no boundaries. Could he not call you during the day? He has to call you late at night?" Elliot questioned. "So what if it's about Natalie? It doesn't matter much even if Dean Jennings is coming back to life.""Alright! Maybe he was too happy and forgot about the time," Avery explained. "Sebastian has stopped Natalie from obtaining money in any way. It's pleasant news.""Do you really think that she has no other way to make money?" Elliot said calmly. "Let's forget about her. If she dares to do anything to us, I will make her disappear forever.""Okay. Let's sleep! I want to take a look at your plans for Christmas tomorrow and pick out the one we want. We can finally lay back and relax," she said, chasing out all thoughts about anyone and anything else. "We will need to go to the hospital tomorrow for your appointment.""Let's go to sleep, then! I hope everything goes smoothly tomo
"Why don't we see what the kids think?" Avery said. "What we want isn't the most important thing. You can make all the calls if we were traveling alone."Elliot could not argue with her point."Let's wait for Hayden to come back and see what he thinks, then." Elliot compromised. "Has he bought his ticket? When will he arrive? I will go pick him up."Spotting the excitement on Elliot's face, Avery chuckled. "He hasn't given me his flight details yet! He will let me know once he has booked the tickets."Meanwhile, in Bridgedale, Hayden was on a video call with Tammy.Tammy had called him normally first, but, after learning that he was free, she had hung up and called back on a video call instead."Hayden, your dad can't stop thinking about going outside these days. That won't do. He can go anywhere anytime he wants—just not on Christmas. They don't know that they are getting a wedding on Christmas day, so they aren't prepared for it! All preparations have been completed by us, and
"You are right," Elliot said."If I'm doing alright, can I go to work? It's too boring to stay home. Let me walk around the office?""The kind of walking around where you don't come back?" Avery teased. "You go ahead if you really want to work that badly!""What about you?" Concerned that she would be bored, he proposed, "Why don't you come work with me? I can arrange whatever position you want for you. It would be nice if we could go to work together every single day!"Avery felt chills down her spine at his suggestion."I love you, Elliot, but I'm really not interested in your work. You can go to work if you want to! Don't worry about me. I have my own plans," she said."Okay. Send me to the office now, then."Avery chuckled. "You really can't wait another second, can you?""I've been resting for too long." Elliot beamed at the thought of returning to work. "Time passes so slowly if I don't work. A person needs a job. It gives you a—""Alright, alright. Some people just enjoy
"Natalie, have you gotten your hands on the Jennings's money?" Holly asked.Natalie took a deep breath and sneered, "No. They kicked me out of their game. It's embarrassing, really. It took me a whole day, and I still haven't managed to wrap my head around this."Holly was shocked, as she had never imagined Natalie to fail. From her perspective, Natalie was too smart and vicious for that."I know that you won't work with me anymore because I don't have money for you. Making ends meet for me is going to be a problem from now on... I thought that killing Dean Jennings would mean that I would get to live my life in peace, but life is still as hellish as it ever was." Natalie sighed pathetically."Are you trying to play the victim here?" Holly mocked. "Do you really think you're suffering worse than I am? You have no idea what kind of life I'm living right now.""Didn't I pay you a large sum of money? It should have been sufficient for you to live in any country you want," Natalie sai
Holly thought about it for a moment before agreeing."Holly, can you tell me about the lead you found? I can look for Ivy with you." Natalie wanted something solid. "You don't have to be too specific about it.""I've managed to get in touch with my friends in Ylore, and I've told them that, if I find Ivy, I will tell Elliot to get them all out of there, so one of them gave me a lead. It's not that much..." She trailed off. She would have found Ivy by now had the lead she had been given been more detailed."Now I really need to know," Natalie said eagerly. "Just tell me, Holly! We can look for her together. If I find Ivy, you will have a share of whatever I get as well. We are in the same boat now. If you say a few bad things about me in front of Elliot, he won't even give me a penny."Convinced, Holly proceeded to say, "The person who bought Ivy had a scar on their wrist.""What kind of scar? Like a birthmark or a wound?""Like the kind you get from cutting your own wrist."Nata
Three years later…Ivy and Robert stood at the airport in Aryadelle, anxiously waiting."It's been three years! Your boyfriend is finally here to see you!" Robert exclaimed before shifting the conversation. "He's not here to break up with you, is he? After all, you haven't seen each other in three years. A lot can change."Ivy sighed, "Robert, can you not jinx it? Although we haven't met in three years, we talk on the phone and video call every day!"Robert quipped, "Digital romance.""Anyway, he promised me that he's going to settle down in Aryadelle this time, and we won't be apart again," Ivy said. Robert smirked. "He's got a strong sense of pride. When he meets Dad later, they might not hit it off, and he'll buy a ticket to leave tonight!"Feeling helpless, Ivy was at a loss for words. Just then, a familiar voice called out, "Ivy!"Ivy immediately looked over to the source of the voice and saw Lucas stepping out of the exit, dragging his suitcase behind him. A smile sp
Mr. Woods did not expect Hayden to be so direct, and he found himself momentarily caught off guard. He had come to ask Hayden for money, but he had not thought about exactly how much he wanted. After all, Hayden's family was extremely wealthy, and he did not want to ask for too little and feel shortchanged, nor did he want to risk asking for too much and having Hayden refuse. It was a tough decision. After a brief internal struggle, Mr. Woods turned to Hayden and said, "I know your family is one of the wealthiest in Aryadelle, so why don't you name the price? I trust you won't mistreat my son and our family." Hayden furrowed his brows slightly. Shelly, noticing his hesitation, quickly chimed in, "Uncle, why don't you make an offer? We're not very familiar with this process. If you insist on us naming a price, we might need to consult my father-in-law." "Elliot Foster, you mean?" Mr. Woods asked. Shelly nodded. "Yes. My father-in-law isn't as easygoing as my husband. After a
"All right. Let's find a place nearby to sit and talk." Mr. Woods breathed a sigh of relief. "Good! Our house is actually nearby. Would you like to visit? Ivy has been with us for many years, and our staff has a close relationship with her." Hayden glanced at Shelly and asked, "Should we go?" "Sure!" Shelly said. Mr. Woods immediately invited Hayden and Shelly into his car and drove them to the Woods' mansion. Upon arriving, Mr. Woods instructed the servants to serve tea and refreshments. He pointed to the butler and said to Hayden, "This is our butler. He hired Ivy's grandmother." Hayden nodded. Mr. Woods then introduced Hayden: "This is Irene's older brother, the renowned businessman Mr. Hayden Tate." "Hello, Mr. Tate. Irene was a wonderful young lady," the butler said. "We all liked her very much. When we heard of her passing, we were truly saddened. Fortunately, she didn't actually pass away! Ivy is a very sensible and resilient girl, one of the strongest I've eve
Ivy's eyes were red as she said, "Hayden, Lucas' mother has passed away, so I won't be able to spend time with you for a few days." "It's okay. Given what has happened, we're not in the mood for fun either. After we attend his mother's funeral, Shelly and I will return," Hayden said. Ivy nodded. "How are funerals handled here?" Hayden asked. Given Lucas' relationship with Ivy, his younger sister, he felt a sense of duty to help Lucas with the funeral arrangements. "It's similar to how it's done back at home. Wealthy people can have elaborate funerals, and those with less money can opt for simpler ceremonies. Those who can't afford much at all can forgo the ceremony and opt for a simple burial," Ivy said. "What if someone wants a more elaborate funeral?" "Hayden, do you want to help with his mother's funeral? He doesn't have any close relatives here, so there's no need for an elaborate ceremony," she explained. "I see. Go and talk to him about it. I'll help with whatever I
Lucas hung up, tears welling in his eyes. Ivy stood by his side and asked, "What's wrong, Lucas?" "My mom has passed away. You should keep your brother company! I need to head back to the hospital." "I will come along! Aunty seemed fine just now, so why did she suddenly pass away?" The two hurried toward the car, completely forgetting about Hayden and Shelly. Hayden and Shelly watched as they left awkwardly, and Shelly said, "Honey, let's go to the hospital. I think Lucas' mother has passed away." "Sure." The two caught a taxi and hurried after Lucas. Meanwhile, in the hospital, Lucas arrived to first encounter the doctor and then his father. Mr. Woods tried ingratiating himself with his son, saying, "Lucas, I came to the hospital to see your mother, but when I arrived, she had already passed away. What a shame!" "Are you sure she had already passed away before you came? I was here earlier today, and when I saw her, she was still alive!" Lucas said. Mr. Woods reto
Mr. Woods sneered, "What do you mean? Are you looking down on me? Although the Woods family has fallen on hard times, we're still a prominent family in Taronia! Lucas may be foolish, but are you any wiser? If it weren't for me backing Lucas, would the Fosters even look at him?" "Shut up! The Foster family isn't narrow-minded like you! Ivy's family doesn't dislike Lucas, so don't go causing trouble! They don't want to see you at all!" Lucas' mother retorted. Mr. Woods scoffed. "Is that so? Do you really think they don't look down on him? Why wouldn't they? Are they planning to make Lucas marry into their family instead of the other way round?" "It's none of your business! You never cared about Lucas, and now that he's independent, he doesn't need you anymore! You wouldn't have come to me repeatedly if Ivy wasn't Elliot Foster's daughter and if she wasn't interested in Lucas. Do you really think I have no idea what you are plotting?" Mr. Woods countered, "What nonsense are you ta
Ivy did not hesitate, immediately shaking her head. "I'm not leaving. Don't worry about me; just focus on yourself." "Staying here is just a waste of time." "I've been studying and interning so hard for so long. What's wrong with taking a break now?" Ivy argued. Before long, Hayden and Shelly had finished their shopping, and Ivy and Lucas immediately joined them to go to the hospital. Lucas' mother had no idea that Ivy's brother and sister-in-law were coming to visit her, so she appeared a bit uncomfortable when they arrived. She tried to sit up, but her body failed her. Ivy raised the head of the hospital bed. "Aunty, my big brother and sister-in-law came over to Taronia for a visit. They wanted to see Lucas and you." "Oh, this is really embarrassing. It's a blessing for my son to know Ivy..." Lucas' mother muttered sheepishly. Shelly reassured, "Aunty, don't say that. Lucas is outstanding. Otherwise, Ivy wouldn't have fallen for him." Lucas' mother continued, "I've
Throughout the meal, Ivy found it hard to enjoy her food. Lucas and Hayden discussed everything that mattered, and the conversation went smoother than anyone had anticipated. Hayden was not upset, nor was Lucas. It was a better scenario than what Ivy had hoped for, but she still felt depressed. "Lucas, my husband and I would like to pay your mother a visit. Would that be okay?" Shelly asked after finishing her food. "Sure," Lucas said. "Don't we need to ask your mom first?" Ivy asked. "It's fine. We can just head over right away and introduce them once we arrive." Lucas' mother grew weaker every day and had stopped using her phone altogether, so it was her nurse, whom Lucas had hired, who reported his mother's condition to him daily. "You restarted your business and have to take care of your mother simultaneously; you're really strong. Most people would crumble under the pressure," Shelly commented. "Ivy had a tougher life before. She didn't crumble, so I won't eith
After what Ivy said, Lucas added, "I want to focus on my career for now. Marriage is secondary until I become more successful." Hayden sneered. "Running a business isn't as simple as it seems. What if you fail or never achieve anything out of the ordinary?" "If that happens, I won't drag Ivy down," Lucas said. "At least you know your place." Ivy felt as though her cheeks were on fire. "Hayden, even if Lucas fails, I won't give up on him. I won't let him go just because of his financial state." Shelly grabbed Hayden's hand again, signaling to him to control his temper; he could be rude to others, but he could not be so demanding with Ivy. Ivy sensed that she was slightly out of line, and her tone eased. "Hayden, we shouldn’t judge people based on their wealth. Our family is rich enough, and there really aren't that many people out there who can compare to our financial state, so why does it matter how wealthy my partner is?" "Ivy is right. Love matters most. Even if we man